Compass-observing apparatus



C. F. BUSH. CGMPASS OBSERVIHG APPARATUS.

M'PUCATION HLE m, n, i919. L fififi rfi o Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITNESS: IN VEN TOR.

0 I 725 ATTORNEY. I

C. F. BUSH.

COMPASS OBSERVING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. H

Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- WITNESS: I N VEN TOR. W 6

kzla' ATTORNEY.

' UNITED STATES PATENT omen.

CHARLES FRANKLIN BUSH, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- EIGHTH T0 CHARLES H. WOERTZ, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

GOMPASS-OBSERVING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Mar, 2, 1920,

Application filed February 11, 1919. Serial No. 276,366.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that 1, CHARLES F. BUSH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and 'State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Compass-Observing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to provide a compass observing apparatus which will be particularly adapted for use on aeroplanes and to so construct my improved apparatus as to permit the ready observation of a compass which is located sufficiently far away from the motor of the aeroplane to prevent error in the compass due to magnetic influence of the motor.

Another object is to so construct my invention that it can be quickly and easily adjusted to suit various requirements and to so arrange the parts that they can be manipulated by an aviator without requiring the aviator to leave his seat in the central portion of the aeroplane.

A further ob ect is to so construct the apparatus of my invention that the necessary tilting position will not hinder the proper operation or manipulation of the compass and observing elements.

Another object is to make the parts of my invention of a simple and durable construction and so that they can be easily manufactured and assembled.

These objects, and other advantageous ends which will be described hereinafter, T attain in the following manner, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of an aeroplane having the apparatus of my invention thereon.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation showing certain of the parts of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on the el-t of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a top plan View of the compass.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevation showing certain of the adjusting elements forming a part of my invention, and

F i 8 is a fragmentar section of an ad- ]usta le rod which I pre erably employ.

Referring to the drawings, 10 represents 7 an areoplane havin a central hollow body portion 11 provided with top openings 12 and 13 to permit entrance of the aviators and out of which a portion of the bodies of the aviators project when the aeroplane is in operation. The aeroplane, as illustrated,

23 at a place adjacent the body portion 11 so that an aviator sitting withm said body portion can reach the lever 22 and thereby move the plate 17 toward or from him. The plate 17 supports a casing 24: into which projects one end 25 of an observing tube 26 which is made up of telescopic sections 27.

A compass 28 has a stem 29 the outer end of which is rounded and adapted to seat upon the surface 30 which provides a curved socket in a support 31; said support being secured to the plate 17. The support 31 is hollow and provides a chamber 32 in which is adapted to swing a ball weight 33. This weight is connected to the stem 29 by a rod 34 which projects through a hole 35 in the support 31 leading from the socket 30 into the chamber 32. The ball weight 33 thus serves to hold the compass 28 in a horizontal position. The ball weight 33 is provided with bumpers 36 which are preferably made of rubber or other resilient material so as to produce a cushioning effect if the angle of the aeroplane is such as to tilt in such position as would otherwise cause the ball to strike the inner surface of the support 31.

The observing tube 26 is pivotally mounted by pivots 37 to a yoke 38. This yoke 38 has a post 39 which is'rotatably mounted within a standard 40. Thus the observing tube can be moved on thepivots 37 or can be swung with the post'39 as an axis. The

end 25 of the observing tube 26 is preferably provided with a lens 41 and is arranged in alinement with a mirror 42. The mirror 42 extends at an incline with respect to the normally horizontal position of the compass 28 so that the compass 28 is always capable of being reflected upon said mirror 42. The opposite end 43 of the observing tube 26 is positioned near the opening 12 of the hollow body portion 11 of the aeroplane so that the aviator can see the reflection 44 (see Fig.

of the compass 28 in the mirror 42.

An adjusting rod 45 is connected to the observing tube 26 and to the bottom plane 15 and normally prevents movement-of the observing 'tube relatively to the aeroplane, The adjusting rod 45 is made in sections 46 and 47, said sections having screw threads thereon extending in opposite direction, such for example as right and left handed threads.

A manually rotatable collar 48 is adapted to receive the screw threaded portions of the sections 46 and 47 so that by turning the collar 48 the end 43 of the observing tube 26 can be raised and lowered according to the direction of rotation of the collar 48.

The end 25 of the observing tube26 has an electric lamp 49 thereon adapted, when lighted, to illuminate the upper face of the compass 28. This electric lamp 49 is connected with electric wires 50 to a switch 51 mounted on the side of the body portion 11 adjacent the open-in 12. Thus by turning on the switch 51 the Tamp 49 will illuminate the top face of the compass 28 and the illuminated reflection of the compass can be readily observed through the observing tube 26, Thus my invention renders it possible for an aviator to clearly see the compass either at night or in dark or cloudy Weather.

By making the observing tube 26 in sections 27, it is possible to move the plate 17 toward or from the body portion 11 of the aeroplane without varying the position of the observing end 43 of said observin tube 26, if it is found necessary to shift the weight of the parts relatively to the longitudinal centerline of the body portion of the aero lane for balancing or other purposes. r if desired, the end 43 of the tube 26 can be pushed by the aviator away from the body portion 11 when it is not desired for use. The end section 43 of the observing rod is adapted to slide through the upper end of the adjusting rod 45, thus permitting said latter movement of the end 43 of the tube 26.

While I have described my invention as taking a particular form, it will be understood that the various parts of my invention may be changed without departing from the spirit thereof, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise construction set forth, but consider that I am at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly. come within, the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus of the character. described including a supporting structure; an instrument thereon; a mirror'adapted to reflect said instrument; an observing tube made of telescopic sections through which said reflec tion of said instrument can be observed; means to which said support is movably attached; and means for moving said support I relatively to the means to which it is attached whereby an observer. on said first means can change the position of said mstrument and tube; substantially as .dcv scribed.

2. Apparatus of the character described including a supporting structure; an instrument thereon; a mirror adapted to reflect said instrument; an observing tube through which said reflection of said instrument can 7 be observed; means to which said support is movably attached;and means for moving instrument and tube; substantially as described.

3. Apparatus of the character described including a supporting structure; an instrument thereon; a mirror adaptedto reflect said instrument; an observing tube through which said reflection 'of said instrument can be observed; means to which said support is movably attached; and means for moving said support relatively to the means to which it is attached, said moving means including a link and a lever attached to said link whereby an observer on said first means can change the position of said instrument and tube; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES FRANKLIN BUSH;

Witnesses;

MARY A. INGLAR, CHAS. E, Porrs. 

